The bull of St Luke

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

United we stand: Lk 11,14-28

Exorcism: 11,14-23

This next stage of chapter 11 begins with an action by Jesus. Note the contrast with the preceeding verse 13. Look carefully at 11,14. What happens, what does not happen? What is the initial reaction? Who is present?
Compare this cure with its equivalvent in Matthew, Mt 12,22-23.

Then look at verses 15-16 and note the two reactions to the cure. Where does Jesus respond to them? See 4,12.

From this, what is Jesus saying in verses 17 to 19? See for example, 4,39..
Then consider the contrast between verses 19 and 20. For verse 20, see Exodus 8,19. How does this verse make a conclusion to what Jesus has been saying?

Now look at my response.

Blessed: 11,21-28

Two short parables follow, 7,21-22 and 7,24-26 with verse 23 as a link. Both begin with "when" and that suggests reading them as a pair.
Typically, the first is read with the preceeding response by Jesus. Who then would be the strong man and the stronger man?

By reading the two parables together as leading into the climax of the beatitudes in 7,27-28, consider how we will be understanding the strong man. Look as well at various translations for verse 21.
What are the claims Jesus then makes in the parable of verses 21-22? Who is the strong man of verse 21? And the stronger one of verse 22 (see 3.16). How has Luke developed the parable from Mt 12,29? See Ephesians 6,10-17 where St Paul develops the point even further.

Verse 23 concludes and reflects 9,50. How is this a bridge to the second parable?

How then can the house of verses 24-26 be kept clean?

Consider how would the image of the cleaned house lead to the concluding beatitudes of verses 27-28.

Verse 27 gives a reaction from a woman in the crowd. How is it linked with what Jesus has just been saying? What does her statement about blessedness mean? How does the reply of Jesus conclude what he has just been saying as well as reflecting a theme of the Gospel (see 1,42.48)? See also 8,21.

Now look at my response.

We can now continue to the sign of Jonah, 11,29-36, which answers the second reaction to Jesus and bridges the two halves of the chapter.